Welcome to Tampa, Emeka Egbuka

[Backside]

Pretty easy pick to come around on even if it was surprising in the moment. We know Licht cares about the team needs, which means EE was easily the top guy on their board and/or they weren’t impressed by any defensive players left. I’m surprised they didn’t like Barron or Starks, or maybe they did and just liked Egbuka that much more.

Most of the EDGE guys who we considered all draft season are still out there. I’m glad Licht and Co liked the guy that much, and didn’t feel like they had to reach for someone at a position of more need.

Gotta think it’s defense today, hope some good targets drop to us.

[BuccaNOLEer]

Pretty easy pick to come around on even if it was surprising in the moment. We know Licht cares about the team needs, which means EE was easily the top guy on their board and/or they weren’t impressed by any defensive players left. I’m surprised they didn’t like Barron or Starks, or maybe they did and just liked Egbuka that much more.

Most of the EDGE guys who we considered all draft season are still out there. I’m glad Licht and Co liked the guy that much, and didn’t feel like they had to reach for someone at a position of more need.

Gotta think it’s defense today, hope some good targets drop to us.

There's at least four I can think of that a lot of people had going in the first round that are still available. Hopefully one will drop or Licht will trade up. It's a lot cheaper to trade up in the second round than the first.

[Babeinbucland]

Pretty easy pick to come around on even if it was surprising in the moment. We know Licht cares about the team needs, which means EE was easily the top guy on their board and/or they weren’t impressed by any defensive players left. I’m surprised they didn’t like Barron or Starks, or maybe they did and just liked Egbuka that much more.

Most of the EDGE guys who we considered all draft season are still out there. I’m glad Licht and Co liked the guy that much, and didn’t feel like they had to reach for someone at a position of more need.

Gotta think it’s defense today, hope some good targets drop to us.

I think his character and how that will translate into our current culture in the locker room gave EE the edge for being chosen above others.

[Snake]

I have calmed down from the shock and will say this.


I've watched Jason Licht throw what feels like dozens of high capital draft picks on defense who end up sucking. His batting average may ironically be around .300 because these picks flop out more often than not. So if he and Todd Bowles were not impressed with what was on the board and went pure BPA because they identified defensive talent (that will be on the board still) and will make a difference in the 2nd round and beyond... then I understand the logic.

I'll be goddamned if I'm gonna sit through ANOTHER Vernon Hargreaves, JTS and Logan Hall if Carlton Davis is right there in round 2.

Somebody posted that quote from Bowles. Long story short, he thinks he can get acceptable defensive results with less talent, because of his coaching and scheming. It will perform better than the sum of its parts.

As Nobody said, continuing to give this revolving door of offensive coordinators good tools to work with, makes their job easier and better insulates them from their potential incompetence.

you know what you’re gonna get from Todd on the other side.

[Doctor]

The tighter the better.

Gonna laugh at the fact that you don't know at "14" personnel grouping would be 1 RB, 4 TEs and 0 WRs, but literally no team uses a formation like that.

Instead of digging in, why don't you say what you really meant. I can't imagine you think we'll use a formation where our WRs are on the sideline for most of the game.

You dunked on a typo. It was funny. This one is just sad.

[Nobody]

If I was going WR, I probably would have gone Golden. By adding Egbuka, we have a logjam of guys with a somewhat similar skillset. Evans is the only guy that can take the top off and scare a defense deep. Golden would have added more of that dimension.

But, Licht is the pro GM with a good record taking WR's and I am not. I'll roll with it.

Cris Collinsworth said the same thing during the PFF draft show. His ensuing argument wasn’t the best, but yeah, he said he would’ve preferred Golden because he doesn’t think Emeka adds a complementary skillset to the current team.

What a truly bizarre take from Collinsworth. Given this offense's concept-space, Egbuka is absolutely both complementary and diversifying. This isn't Godwin 2.0. And even if he was...uh, thank you?

The whole "you have to have a guy to take the top off the defense" is a...I don't know how to say this without coming off like a dick, so I'm not going to try to dress it up...its a "casual take." And Collinsworth isn't a casual so that just sounds like a bit of a mailed-in take from him.

[mdb1958]

Gonna laugh at the fact that you don't know at "14" personnel grouping would be 1 RB, 4 TEs and 0 WRs, but literally no team uses a formation like that.

Instead of digging in, why don't you say what you really meant. I can't imagine you think we'll use a formation where our WRs are on the sideline for most of the game.

You dunked on a typo. It was funny. This one is just sad.

I'd try 14

[Babeinbucland]

[Snake]

Hell yeah

[Bootz]

Gonna laugh at the fact that you don't know at "14" personnel grouping would be 1 RB, 4 TEs and 0 WRs, but literally no team uses a formation like that.

Instead of digging in, why don't you say what you really meant. I can't imagine you think we'll use a formation where our WRs are on the sideline for most of the game.

You dunked on a typo. It was funny. This one is just sad.

Yea because 4 & 0 are so close together......

[mdb1958]

Cris Collinsworth said the same thing during the PFF draft show. His ensuing argument wasn’t the best, but yeah, he said he would’ve preferred Golden because he doesn’t think Emeka adds a complementary skillset to the current team.

What a truly bizarre take from Collinsworth. Given this offense's concept-space, Egbuka is absolutely both complementary and diversifying. This isn't Godwin 2.0. And even if he was...uh, thank you?

The whole "you have to have a guy to take the top off the defense" is a...I don't know how to say this without coming off like a dick, so I'm not going to try to dress it up...its a "casual take." And Collinsworth isn't a casual so that just sounds like a bit of a mailed-in take from him.

Who else wanted him, I would think we could have gotten him later.

[CannonFire]

“As a DB, when I watch him, he’s incredible. Demonstrates elevated understanding of coverage, spacing, and how to present himself to the quarterback. Like a professional. He uses his hands as late as possible to keep the DB off balance. He doesn’t give defenders keys. And he blocks his ass off downfield.”

Yeah, basically what I saw. If he can improve the routes, he’s probably the most polished WR in Tampa lol.

My son is a big Ohio State fan, and he said as much. I did watch the playoff games and my son pointed out things like was mentioned. This dude isn't just a receiver, he's very cerebral. I think between that and the talent, he could end up being the best WR in this class. He could be another Keenan Allen.

[BucsNBills]

We went bpa instead of forcing a need. It's good process.

It's interesting that we had Golden for a top 30 visit and still went with Egbuka when both were on the board. Given how each spoke and acted after they were drafted, I can see why we picked Egbuka just from a character perspective.

He's very well spoken and seems humble and hungry. Not going to get WR diva bullshit from him like we would other receivers.

This pick is going to look even better after day 2 when we do address the defense.

[Snake]

Jason said they didn’t meet with Emeka because they didn’t have any concerns or questions. Something to keep in mind going forward.

[Doctor]

A big part of this is also the poor franchise fan mythos of your rookie (especially your "first rounder") being some instant impact guy. It's leftover from the days of sucking. Good teams don't need that, don't operate like that. Poverty franchise fans just hate the thought of their 12 year franchise player being a part time player in his first two years. They want ROY storylines.

I think OBP fell in love with a Buc timeline that has Baker throwing to Egbuka in the slot, McMillan and old man Evans on the outside in 2028. It's a good timeline.

Some fans have the same idealist hindsight mentality that leads to posts like "drafting Trask was a bad idea because we would get Baker in FA in the future". If you wanted Egbuka, why re-sign Godwin, right?

But if you had the choice to supplement the first two slow rookie years with a couple of high powered Godwin years for a better 2025-26 SB window, would you not? Also no guarantee Egbuka is there. Lastly, Godwin > Shep is a playoff crippling downgrade. This offense flies off the Y. And we just secured that we'll be flying high during this immediate 2 year window and longer 5 year window.

They loved this guy. He was one a whole other tier than those that were still on the board for OBP. Glad they stayed true to their BPA.

[Bootz]

Jason said they didn’t meet with Emeka because they didn’t have any concerns or questions. Something to keep in mind going forward.

That's not the flex he thinks it is. Do your homework regardless. Also kinda confirms that we were sitting on this pick no matter what.

[__Chef__]

Cris Collinsworth said the same thing during the PFF draft show. His ensuing argument wasn’t the best, but yeah, he said he would’ve preferred Golden because he doesn’t think Emeka adds a complementary skillset to the current team.

What a truly bizarre take from Collinsworth. Given this offense's concept-space, Egbuka is absolutely both complementary and diversifying. This isn't Godwin 2.0. And even if he was...uh, thank you?

The whole "you have to have a guy to take the top off the defense" is a...I don't know how to say this without coming off like a dick, so I'm not going to try to dress it up...its a "casual take." And Collinsworth isn't a casual so that just sounds like a bit of a mailed-in take from him.

I'm curious what your take is on this ... If a team has a legit homerun hitter... someone with speed that must be accounted for with safety help, because the defense knows their corners cannot match them step for step, how does that not help an offence by forcing the defense to keep their safety(s) deep away from the LOS?

How is this not a legitimate argument?

-Casual fan

[BucsNBills]

Golden does not play at his supposed fast 40 time. He's a smaller, less polished, and doesn't have Bucs character requirements.

You all will come around to the pick.

[__Chef__]

A big part of this is also the poor franchise fan mythos of your rookie (especially your "first rounder") being some instant impact guy. It's leftover from the days of sucking. Good teams don't need that, don't operate like that. Poverty franchise fans just hate the thought of their 12 year franchise player being a part time player in his first two years. They want ROY storylines.

I think OBP fell in love with a Buc timeline that has Baker throwing to Egbuka in the slot, McMillan and old man Evans on the outside in 2028. It's a good timeline.

Some fans have the same idealist hindsight mentality that leads to posts like "drafting Trask was a bad idea because we would get Baker in FA in the future". If you wanted Egbuka, why re-sign Godwin, right?

But if you had the choice to supplement the first two slow rookie years with a couple of high powered Godwin years for a better 2025-26 SB window, would you not? Also no guarantee Egbuka is there. Lastly, Godwin > Shep is a playoff crippling downgrade. This offense flies off the Y. And we just secured that we'll be flying high during this immediate 2 year window and longer 5 year window.

They loved this guy. He was one a whole other tier than those that were still on the board for OBP. Glad they stayed true to their BPA.

The kid is clearly very bright, capable, and has his priorities straight. I'd be shocked if he doesn't end up being a coach someday. In the interim, he reminds me of 3rd and Ike. Back in the day, the team used to regularly look to Ike Hilliard as a coach on the field. EE will be a dependable chain mover.

Having said all of that, if Barron doesn't get arrested next year, Licht deserves the shame of riding the shortbus shuttle to OBP everyday.

[Nobody]

What a truly bizarre take from Collinsworth. Given this offense's concept-space, Egbuka is absolutely both complementary and diversifying. This isn't Godwin 2.0. And even if he was...uh, thank you?

The whole "you have to have a guy to take the top off the defense" is a...I don't know how to say this without coming off like a dick, so I'm not going to try to dress it up...its a "casual take." And Collinsworth isn't a casual so that just sounds like a bit of a mailed-in take from him.

I'm curious what your take is on this ... If a team has a legit homerun hitter... someone with speed that must be accounted for with safety help, because the defense knows their corners cannot match them step for step, how does that not help an offence by forcing the defense to keep their safety(s) deep away from the LOS?

How is this not a legitimate argument?

-Casual fan

Couple things.

1) Not all offenses are vertical and deploy route combinations in such a way that they can actually threaten, in a meaningful way, to "take the top off the defense." This is one of them (more on that below). It doesn't attempt to distort the defense vertically in that traditionally modelled way (more on that below).

2) Look at all of the speed at the WR position in the NFL right now. It is everywhere. All over the place. Despite all of that speed, shell defenses have absolutely shut down that vertical element over the course of the last 2-3 years. Just put a complete lid on it. I mean...it has even happened to Hill in Miami who is probably the only absolute speedfreak in the modern NFL that could actually "take the top off the defense" (like Lofton, like Moss, like Galloway, like DJ...these very few unicorns).

3) The way "the top is (reliably and consequentially) taken off" (compromising the 2/3/4 shell) in the modern NFL these last few years is two ways:

a) Get yourself a freakish QB who can escape & extend, thereby distorting the defense in a scramble drill and win that way.

We don't have that. There are only a very few number of those out there.

b) Do what we do. Force defenses to defend 53.3 yards horizontally and -3 to +18 yards vertically + Flood the concept-side + deploy layered manipulation that imposes extreme cognitive load on back 7 defenders.

None of those rely upon that deep threat (which has been foiled in the modern NFL via shell defensive principles + discipline + back 7 talent) distorting things vertically.

We (the Bucs) force defenders to honor an enormous amount of space and force them to manage an enormous amount of cognitive load while maintaining the integrity of important communication (sensitive hand-offs at mesh points in matchup coverage). That is how we "get vertical."

This offense is why Trey Palmer (who runs a pretty 40 time) does zero work in "taking the top off the defense." Meanwhile, Egbuka will absolutely play a role in the concerted effort of this offense to "take the top off the defense" (in spots) because he does all the things (such as being a great blocker in the Screen game and then making a Wheel/Stutter route look exactly the same as when he is climbing to block on a perimeter Screen...thereby wrongfooting coverage) necessary for that.

[Snake]

I can’t believe I get this content for free.

[__Chef__]

I'm curious what your take is on this ... If a team has a legit homerun hitter... someone with speed that must be accounted for with safety help, because the defense knows their corners cannot match them step for step, how does that not help an offence by forcing the defense to keep their safety(s) deep away from the LOS?

How is this not a legitimate argument?

-Casual fan

Couple things.

1) Not all offenses are vertical and deploy route combinations in such a way that they can actually threaten, in a meaningful way, to "take the top off the defense." This is one of them (more on that below). It doesn't attempt to distort the defense vertically in that traditionally modelled way (more on that below).

2) Look at all of the speed at the WR position in the NFL right now. It is everywhere. All over the place. Despite all of that speed, shell defenses have absolutely shut down that vertical element over the course of the last 2-3 years. Just put a complete lid on it. I mean...it has even happened to Hill in Miami who is probably the only absolute speedfreak in the modern NFL that could actually "take the top off the defense" (like Lofton, like Moss, like Galloway, like DJ...these very few unicorns).

3) The way "the top is (reliably and consequentially) taken off" (compromising the 2/3/4 shell) in the modern NFL these last few years is two ways:

a) Get yourself a freakish QB who can escape & extend, thereby distorting the defense in a scramble drill and win that way.

We don't have that. There are only a very few number of those out there.

b) Do what we do. Force defenses to defend 53.3 yards horizontally and -3 to +18 yards vertically + Flood the concept-side + deploy layered manipulation that imposes extreme cognitive load on back 7 defenders.

None of those rely upon that deep threat (which has been foiled in the modern NFL via shell defensive principles + discipline + back 7 talent) distorting things vertically.

We (the Bucs) force defenders to honor an enormous amount of space and force them to manage an enormous amount of cognitive load while maintaining the integrity of important communication (sensitive hand-offs at mesh points in matchup coverage). That is how we "get vertical."

This offense is why Trey Palmer (who runs a pretty 40 time) does zero work in "taking the top off the defense." Meanwhile, Egbuka will absolutely play a role in the concerted effort of this offense to "take the top off the defense" (in spots) because he does all the things (such as being a great blocker in the Screen game and then making a Wheel/Stutter route look exactly the same as when he is climbing to block on a perimeter Screen...thereby wrongfooting coverage) necessary for that.

Thank you for the detailed response to an admittedly casual fan. However, the shell zones you speak of, are they not reliant on keeping the safeties away from the LOS? If we hope to keep the success going on the run game, the ideal scenario is for defenses to remain in the defenses mentioned above, yes? Safeties away from the LOS, right?

[Pirate Life]

I'm curious what your take is on this ... If a team has a legit homerun hitter... someone with speed that must be accounted for with safety help, because the defense knows their corners cannot match them step for step, how does that not help an offence by forcing the defense to keep their safety(s) deep away from the LOS?

How is this not a legitimate argument?

-Casual fan

I’m not Nobody of course…

Speed kills, but only when the defense needs to respect the receiver’s ability to catch the ball.

Here are the fastest 40 times by WR ever at the combine:

Xavier Worthy
John Ross III
Rondel Menendez
Jerome Mathis
Henry Ruggs III
Marquise Goodwin

Not exactly a murderer’s row of names to strike fear in a defense. Worthy had an ok first season, Ruggs may have been good but we’ll never know. Goodwin with the best career as a journeyman JAG receiver honestly.

[__Chef__]

...
Not exactly a murderer’s row of names to strike fear in a defense. Worthy had an ok first season, Ruggs may have been good but we’ll never know. Goodwin with the best career as a journeyman JAG receiver honestly.

Clearly it isn't as simple a formula as fast man run, fast man win.

But when defenses do not fear a deep-ball, we've seen them condense coverage which makes it a lot harder to move the ball. Back when Brad Johnson was at the tail end of his career and started throwing ducks, defenses consolidated toward the LOS and made it more difficult to run or pass the ball.

[Nobody]

Couple things.

1) Not all offenses are vertical and deploy route combinations in such a way that they can actually threaten, in a meaningful way, to "take the top off the defense." This is one of them (more on that below). It doesn't attempt to distort the defense vertically in that traditionally modelled way (more on that below).

2) Look at all of the speed at the WR position in the NFL right now. It is everywhere. All over the place. Despite all of that speed, shell defenses have absolutely shut down that vertical element over the course of the last 2-3 years. Just put a complete lid on it. I mean...it has even happened to Hill in Miami who is probably the only absolute speedfreak in the modern NFL that could actually "take the top off the defense" (like Lofton, like Moss, like Galloway, like DJ...these very few unicorns).

3) The way "the top is (reliably and consequentially) taken off" (compromising the 2/3/4 shell) in the modern NFL these last few years is two ways:

a) Get yourself a freakish QB who can escape & extend, thereby distorting the defense in a scramble drill and win that way.

We don't have that. There are only a very few number of those out there.

b) Do what we do. Force defenses to defend 53.3 yards horizontally and -3 to +18 yards vertically + Flood the concept-side + deploy layered manipulation that imposes extreme cognitive load on back 7 defenders.

None of those rely upon that deep threat (which has been foiled in the modern NFL via shell defensive principles + discipline + back 7 talent) distorting things vertically.

We (the Bucs) force defenders to honor an enormous amount of space and force them to manage an enormous amount of cognitive load while maintaining the integrity of important communication (sensitive hand-offs at mesh points in matchup coverage). That is how we "get vertical."

This offense is why Trey Palmer (who runs a pretty 40 time) does zero work in "taking the top off the defense." Meanwhile, Egbuka will absolutely play a role in the concerted effort of this offense to "take the top off the defense" (in spots) because he does all the things (such as being a great blocker in the Screen game and then making a Wheel/Stutter route look exactly the same as when he is climbing to block on a perimeter Screen...thereby wrongfooting coverage) necessary for that.

Thank you for the detailed response to an admittedly casual fan. However, the shell zones you speak of, are they not reliant on keeping the safeties away from the LOS? If we hope to keep the success going on the run game, the ideal scenario is for defenses to remain in the defenses mentioned above, yes? Safeties away from the LOS, right?

You're welcome.

The answer is a little complex and I'm time-limited right now. Here is the abridged version:

* Teams are playing complex Nickel and Dime packages with more DBs to deal with speed. Through deft scheming + these personnel configurations + an increasing abundance of high football IQ hybrid DBs, teams can still activate extra defenders in the run game as necessary.

* Teams are playing a lot of combo coverages with Read/Match-up principles on the Trips side of plays (offenses are now responding to this chess game by turning Trips into Quads) which allows them to cover and maintain the integrity of run fits/activate defenders to support.

* Coverage disguises + overload blitz/activation of overhang defenders has become increasingly advanced. This has forced offenses to "turtle up" a fair bit.

[__Chef__]

Thank you for the detailed response to an admittedly casual fan. However, the shell zones you speak of, are they not reliant on keeping the safeties away from the LOS? If we hope to keep the success going on the run game, the ideal scenario is for defenses to remain in the defenses mentioned above, yes? Safeties away from the LOS, right?

You're welcome.

The answer is a little complex and I'm time-limited right now. Here is the abridged version:

* Teams are playing complex Nickel and Dime packages with more DBs to deal with speed. Through deft scheming + these personnel configurations + an increasing abundance of high football IQ hybrid DBs, teams can still activate extra defenders in the run game as necessary.

* Teams are playing a lot of combo coverages with Read/Match-up principles on the Trips side of plays (offenses are now responding to this chess game by turning Trips into Quads) which allows them to cover and maintain the integrity of run fits/activate defenders to support.

I think I'm tracking ... You're saying regardless of safety location, team defenses are accounting for runs via other personnel groups and abilities ...

If I'm reading this correctly, our ideal scenario is teams stay on this path of heavy DB reliance, and Bucky remains a critical part of our offensive engine taking advantage of numerical + personnel advantage, yes? They're less vulnerable to 20+yard back breaker runs, but we're more likely to keep the chains moving via consistent 4-6 yard chunks, yes?

If so, I'd have to think Bowles is happy with this trade-off to maximize time of possession and keep his defense "fresh".

[Babeinbucland]

I'm curious what your take is on this ... If a team has a legit homerun hitter... someone with speed that must be accounted for with safety help, because the defense knows their corners cannot match them step for step, how does that not help an offence by forcing the defense to keep their safety(s) deep away from the LOS?

How is this not a legitimate argument?

-Casual fan

I’m not Nobody of course…

Speed kills, but only when the defense needs to respect the receiver’s ability to catch the ball.

Here are the fastest 40 times by WR ever at the combine:

Xavier Worthy
John Ross III
Rondel Menendez
Jerome Mathis
Henry Ruggs III
Marquise Goodwin

Not exactly a murderer’s row of names to strike fear in a defense. Worthy had an ok first season, Ruggs may have been good but we’ll never know. Goodwin with the best career as a journeyman JAG receiver honestly.

Not sure if you intended the “murderers row pun” (cause of Ruggs) but We may yet know with Henry Ruggs III ala Vicks- he may have preserved legs etc and could be released at his next parole hearing. The NFL loves it a redemption story

[Grahamburn]

If @Nobody likes the pick I like the pick and he’s practically giddy.

[Central_Buc]

We went bpa instead of forcing a need. It's good process.

It's interesting that we had Golden for a top 30 visit and still went with Egbuka when both were on the board. Given how each spoke and acted after they were drafted, I can see why we picked Egbuka just from a character perspective.

He's very well spoken and seems humble and hungry. Not going to get WR diva bullshit from him like we would other receivers.

This pick is going to look even better after day 2 when we do address the defense.

I agree and I think the value was too good to pass up. They probably didn't expect him there at 19.

[Nobody]

If @Nobody likes the pick I like the pick and he’s practically giddy.

I want to be clear where I am on this pick and my level of ignorance/understanding here.

I have done zero tape study on the DBs and Edge rushers that we prioritized Egbuka over. I am not remotely informed enough to say whether or not I would have had Egbuka over any of those DBs or Edges if I actually put the time/effort to build out my own big board.

All I'm saying here is:

1) After we made the pick, I looked into his tape, his metrics, and his intangibles enough to have a reasonably informed position that this kid is all three of (a) a legitimate WR prospect at this point in the draft, (b) a very good fit in this offense given his diverse-yet-particular skillset, (c) obviously an A+ attitude/ethic/culture fit.

2) You can never have enough good WR and DBs. Given the modern NFL's demands in terms of personnel, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me to ever say "welp...we're covered on WRs and DBs." You need a ton of both of those positions, and the more good ones you have, the better you'll be.

Edge is somewhat similar, but it is only part about abundance. It is more about finding that speed-rushing, C-arc bender with the crazy snap get-off...that ultra-rare unicorn who can wreck a game all by themselves, fundamentally reshaping your defense because their singular, negative-play-generating capability impacts the gamestate like no other position outside of QB.

[Doctor]

Absolutely stellar explanation Nobody.

If I may also answer with my box of crayons.

An easy way to visualize it is like so. You think of a classic speedster "taking the top off a defense" in the classic since of him simply winning the foot race against the DBs down field, yeah? And for many players in many schemes, it's just that. However, while it is cool to "force defenses to cover 60 yards deep", it has an inherent trade off.... to get 60 yards downfield you need to run, well, mostly downfield.

To counter this you stack your DBs over the speedster. It's one thing to run by one CB, it's harder to run by another also further down. But this puts everyone, defense included, into a narrow portion of the field. Poorly simplified, covering 60 yards down, 10 yards wide = 600 sqyrds to cover.

However, our scheme breaks people free by making every DB cover just 20 yards deep (mostly, we do have deeper plays) but 50 yards wide = 1000 sqyrds. We then add extra difficulty by putting 3 of those "vertical" yards behind the LOS with our awesome screen game. The secret sauce of very clean disguised routes. You make everything look like everything else and don't show your hand until the last moment. Across the entire width of the field. One messed up assignment pass off, one bad read, one false step, leaves the the lane open to take the 18 yard pass 60 yards. That's our deep game.

And Egbuka is fantastic at this. Watching him back in February I got a lot of AB vibes in the way he wins on the field.

[Cheb]

People get overenamored with wide receiver speed, and the bleating about Golden over Egbuka reflects that.

Firstly, watch Golden play football. On paper, he is faster than Tyreek Hill, but Tyreek he is not. Dude plays with tempo, but he isn't otherworldly on the football field. Imo, he certainly isn't a player that forces defenses to change what they're doing.

Secondly, we already have a burner at wide receiver on the roster with 4.33 speed, a mere 0.04 seconds slower than Golden; the oft forgotten Trey Palmer, who was tied for eighth on the team in receptions last year with Ryan Miller with a grand total of 12 balls caught.

What does this passing offense emphasize? Concept-heavy spacing and timing, smart reads, putting defenders in conflict, and making the D defend the width of the field. You don't need Tyreek Hill to do that, you need smart and reliable guys with good late hands who run clean routes. Cooper Kupp didn't win a triple crown in receiving by being the fastest guy in this same offense, nor does Puka Nacua earn his bread that way either. Neither does Mike Evans, neither does Chris Godwin.

We are no longer in the vertically-oriented "we're going to out-physical you" Arians offense. We are playing 21st century football now.

This offense doesn't need cars that win drag races. We have a speedster and we let it sit in the garage on racing days, because that's not the kind of driving we like to do. Our offense needs cars that win rallies, because we drive the shit out of those. We fucking love them.

[__Chef__]

I have done zero tape study on the DBs and Edge rushers that we prioritized Egbuka over. I am not remotely informed enough to say whether or not I would have had Egbuka over any of those DBs ...

Having said all of this, if you have the time, I'd greatly appreciate your take on the following:



From what I saw, Barron's instincts and play recognition would have benefitted our team far more than adding another A to a position room full of grade A talent. Barron was constantly around the ball, run or pass. I saw better play recognition and ball skills than any CB we have on our team. In my mind, this is adding an A player to a C+ position room. Yes, he has flaws. His tackling isn't great. He may be too aggressive at times, but these negatives come with potential game changing turnover positives.

[Doctor]

I'm so glad you brought up the Rams WRs. I was going to bring up Puka too, but Puka is far more physical ala Godwin. Emeka is more leverages ala AB. But yes, the way the Rams deploy their WRs and what they look for is exactly it.

If you can get yourself a super star like a Justin Jefferson to put in it, all the better. That's awesome. But waiting around to get your "true #1 Alpha" WR is almost as bad as waiting to get your franchise QB. This doesn't rely on *needing* that physically "Alpha WR" to be the workhorse. Instead it looks for these smart technicians. And if they are also physically gifted, the better for it.

And make no mistake here, Egbuka IS physically gifted. He's not Ike.

[Navybuc]

I'm so glad you brought up the Rams WRs. I was going to bring up Puka too, but Puka is far more physical ala Godwin. Emeka is more leverages ala AB. But yes, the way the Rams deploy their WRs and what they look for is exactly it.

If you can get yourself a super star like a Justin Jefferson to put in it, all the better. That's awesome. But waiting around to get your "true #1 Alpha" WR is almost as bad as waiting to get your franchise QB. This doesn't rely on *needing* that physically "Alpha WR" to be the workhorse. Instead it looks for these smart technicians. And if they are also physically gifted, the better for it.

And make no mistake here, Egbuka IS physically gifted. He's not Ike.

Agree. I like the pick. Plus he’s a Buckeye. Not that I’m a Buckeye fan, but their track record in the NFL is quite good. Hell, in the last few years alone we’ve seen Garret Wilson, Chris Olave, MJH, and Jaxson Smith-Njigba all go in the first round and turn out to be worth it.